Theatre Royal Bath Announces Opening Productions For Summer Season 2018

Theatre Royal Bath today announces the opening productions for its summer season 2018 across the Ustinov Studio and Main House. Launching at the Ustinov Studio will be the highly acclaimed, Bristol based theatre company, Shakespeare at the Tobacco Factory with their new production of Henry V directed by Elizabeth Freestone. Oscar Wilde's An Ideal Husband will transfer to Theatre Royal Bath's Main House direct from the West End, marking the first production in Jonathan Church's 2018 summer season. Priority booking will open to members on Saturday 10 February at 10am, with general on-sale from 21 February. The full programme will be announced in due course.

Henry V
Thursday 21 June - Saturday 21 July

Innovative theatre company Shakespeare at the Tobacco Factory will launch its brand new production of Henry V at the Ustinov Studio. Directed by Elizabeth Freestone and starring Ben Hall in the title role, the production will then embark on a UK tour. Shakespeare's play is a thrilling examination of the nature of power as it explores the burden of leadership and explodes the myth of heroism.

Ben Hall is best known for his role as Donald in BBC's The Durrells. Theatre credits include Coriolanus and Salomé for the RSC and Twelfth Night (Sheffield / ETT).

Elizabeth Freestone has worked extensively with the RSC for whom her credits include The Comedy of Errors and The Rape of Lucrece. Other theatre credits include Romeo and Juliet for Shakespeare's Globe and The Duchess of Malfi, Dr Faustus and The School for Scandal at Greenwich Theatre.

An Ideal Husband
Wednesday 18 July - Saturday 4 August

Transferring direct from the Vaudeville Theatre in the West End, An Ideal Husband will be the opening show of Jonathan Church's summer season 2018, following his inaugural season as Artistic Director last year. Oscar Wilde's sharp and witty drama explores corruption, blackmail and honour when a damning secret threatens to ruin ambitious politician Sir Robert Chiltern's career and marriage.

Jonathan Church is Artistic Director of the Theatre Royal Bath Summer Season, with his 2017 season including productions of Racing Demon, The Lady in the Van, Sand in the Sandwiches and North by Northwest. He was previously Artistic Director for the Salisbury Playhouse (1995-99), Birmingham Rep (2001-05) and Chichester Festival Theatre (2006-16). His directing credits include acclaimed productions such as Singin' in the Rain (Chichester, West End), The Resistible Rise of Arturo Ui (Chichester, West End) and Taken at Midnight (Chichester, West End). He received a CBE for Services to Theatre in 2015.

Oscar Wilde is the author of some of the best-loved comedies in the English language including The Importance of being Earnest, Lady Windermere's Fan and A Woman of No Importance.